Which blockbusters will be worth the price

Thursday

May 18, 2017 at 2:01 AM

Ed Symkus More Content Now

Going to a movie today, even when there are “bargain matinees” and there’s no food involved, will put a serious dent in your entertainment budget. Add in a companion, a couple of kids, a tub of popcorn to share and a few soft drinks, and you’ll be reduced to bringing peanut butter and jelly sandwiches to work for a week instead of dining out.

A look at current pricing at three national theater chains — AMC, Regal and Landmark — revealed the following average costs for an adult to see an evening movie and have a snack: Tickets: $12.98; if it’s 3D, add on $4; if it’s IMAX, add on $6.Popcorn: $6.17 to $8.67 (different sizes)Soda: $5.04 to $6.14 (different sizes)

So, yes, a night out at your local cineplex is expensive. But no matter how big your home entertainment center TV is, no matter how many speakers you’ve placed throughout your living room, nothing beats the experience of sitting in a big, dark room, surrounded by strangers, in front of a humongous screen. And with the summer movie season coming, the big blockbuster titles, with chases, explosions and effects galore, will all scream out that bigger is better.

Here’s a look at what studios are offering over the next few months. And here’s hoping they’re worth it.

May 26: “Pirates of the Caribbean: Dead Men Tell No Tales” — Javier Bardem is Captain Salazar, an evil ghost with a nasty crew, all of whom intend to kill Johnny Depp’s Captain Jack Sparrow.

June 2: “Wonder Woman” — Gal Gadot is the princess of the Amazons who must go out and save the world.

June 9: “The Mummy” — The bad guy wrapped in white gauze is a bad gal this time, played by Sofia Boutella. Tom Cruise and Russell Crowe are pitted against her.

July 7: “Spider-Man: Homecoming” — Brit actor Tom Holland steps into the blue-and-red costume, under the guidance of his new mentor, Tony Stark (Robert Downey Jr.).

July 14: “War for the Planet of the Apes” — Andy Serkis is back as Caesar, pitting his ape army against a villainous human colonel (Woody Harrelson).

July 21: “Dunkirk” — Visionary director Christopher Nolan recreates the Battle of Dunkirk, in which German troops surrounded French and British forces in 1940. A huge conflict ensued.

July 21: “Valerian and the City of a Thousand Planets” — Luc Besson made the epic sci-fi movie “The Fifth Element.” Now he’s made this sci-fi-action-adventure-war (and probably slightly comic) one. I’m there!